In practice, what is understood in Common law as "Personal" is understood in Europe as "Substitute" and the problem increases if we distinguish between service Email Database to corporations from service to individuals. When servicing corporations, this must be completed in the person of those individuals who have the power to represent the corporation, that is to Email Database say the "officers" publicly listed in the mercantile registry. Therefore service to the front desk, secretary, gardener or any employee of a corporation, is "Substitute service". For individuals, most local laws allow officers to leave documents at the address specified or leave a note in the door as equivalent of service.
These officers, do not need to understand the hierarchy of the Hague Convention in this sense and what are the "Lex fori Forums" needs . Instructions for service Email Database to the central authority, transform into let's do it our legal which is not necessarily valid on the other Email Database jurisdiction. Remark therefore, that the use of "insistence and perseverance" is not possible by the "Centralized method", its efficiency is not good and it is only, by the use of a private personal server that you can achive the best results, have more legal security on service and what is the most relevant.
You will be courteous to your adversary and sure of your case. These above reasons explain why most Common Law Attorneys have used as many many "tricks" as possible or patches to remove these obstacles of the "Central" method, I do not blame Email Database them. Sometimes by the use of "an agent" which often is, their local process server, their friendly "tacky" translation company or their neighborhood's Private Investigators. The Email Database reality is, that on the long run, not only they have waisted time and money but they are liable of fraud to international law, defamation, Ilegal practice of law,Revelation of Secrets.